FROM the catwalks of Hong Kong to the fencelines of Davenport Downs – Winton’s Karin Robinson has experienced both worlds and is keen to give other young rural Queenslanders the chance to do the same.
She is busy organising a fashion and modelling weekend in Longreach at the beginning of July in order to give westerners exposure to the industry, and has captured over $20,000 in sponsorship towards the Way Out West Fashion Quest so far.
An international model herself, 25-year-old Karin wants to show the world what young men and women from the bush can do and vice versa.
“I want people to see that we have it out here, and I want to give kids an option to try it out,” she said.
“I was a shy country girl and the industry gave me a lot. It took me overseas, gave me lots of self-confidence, and the ability to tackle any workplace.”
It was an article in a newspaper in Winton that inspired her, where she read that seven girls from the community had travelled hundreds of kilometres to the coast to enter the same competition she took part in 10 years earlier, the national Fashion Bash at Home Hill.
“I was inspired by these girls and proud of them for making the trip in order to participate in something that’s not available to them.
“Then I thought, I’ve got all the industry contacts – why don’t I bring something like that out here.”
There are three categories for hopeful models to enter, a fashion design challenge for those who would like to be involved in that side of the industry without being a model themself, a Kids Express Yourself section for 5 to 11-year-olds, and the Tamblyn Model Challenge open to 12 to 19-year-olds.
Make-up and deportment classes will be offered to all who enter the WOW fashion quest, as well as a mini photo shoot.
The winner of the model challenge will receive automatic entry into the grand final of a young model discovery competition run by Tamblyn, one of Brisbane’s leading modelling agencies.
This gives entrants the chance to take out a position in the top 10 and a year’s contract with the agency, or the possibility of photogenic, runway and international prizes, each with a three year contract attached.
Karin began her own modelling career when she won the runway section, and has since conquered the catwalks of Brisbane, Melbourne, Hong Kong and China as well as modelled for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week three years in a row.
Photo shoots for various magazines and bridal catalogues were all part of her daily work schedule.
Nowadays she claims to have bags under her eyes from lack of sleep, baby vomit as an accessory and rummages through her handbag looking for dummies or nappies instead of lipgloss.
Originally from Homestead in North Queensland and attending high school at Blackheath and Thornburgh College in Charters Towers, she and husband Kale Robinson were childhood sweethearts.
The couple have two children under the age of two and operate a fencing and yard-building business, using Kale’s parents’ place, Mandurin Station at Winton as their base.
The lifestyle means many weeks in camp on the job though, and the two boys, Samuel and Ryan go everywhere with Kale and Karin.
Thanks to her years in front of a very discerning camera and her own go-get-em attitude to life, she is taking it all in her stride.
“I have great memories of my years as a model but now I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. “I also cook for the crew but I love it.”
As the fashion quest fast approaches, Karin is keen to hear from potential entrants.
She says it’s been a challenge to encourage young people to put their hand up for it.
“Bush kids are shy but it will be heaps of fun and they’ll learn so much,” she said.
Although the WOW Facebook page lists eligible shires as Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Cloncurry, Central Highlands, Diamantina, Flinders, Longreach, McKinlay, Mt Isa, Murweh, Quilpie, Richmond and Winton, Karin says entrants aren’t limited to those places.
“If you think you live in the bush, you’re eligible.”
She is also encouraging parents to get in touch to talk about the quest’s aims to allay any concerns that might be felt.
As well as big-name support from groups such as Thomas Cook, Wrangler, the Australian Institute of Creative Design and Skytrans, many local businesses such as Richmond’s Nina Batt, Longreach’s The Tack Room and Winton milliner Hats by Leona have donated to the cause.
The weekend will take place at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame on July 5 and 6, and Karin hopes it will become an annual event on the western Queensland calendar.
Entry forms and details are available from the WOW Facebook page.
